Bristol Palin Says Abstinence Doesn't Cut It

In an interview with FOX News's Greta Van Susteren, Bristol Palin, the 18-year-old daughter of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin discussed her unplanned pregnancy, and the out-of-wedlock birth her son Tripp. She seems like a very loving parent and nice young woman who genuinely wants other teens to learn from her mistakes. In specific she says she has no philosophical or religious issue with teens using contraception, and realizes that abstinence isn't a "realistic" course of action for most people. Watch:



Some may be surprised to hear Bristol's views on abstinence, but she's right on target. Studies have shown that abstinence education (like the kind that her mother has advocated) are a colossal waste of money. Teens who make pledges to abstain from sex until after marriage are every bit as likely to have sex out of wedlock as those who do not, and are less likely to use birth control. We should educate our teens about sex, and make sure they understand how to use birth control. Otherwise, they, like Bristol, may find themselves postponing their own dreams to take care of children whom they love, but whose arrival came far too quickly.

You can see the entire interview here.